New to N2o...HELPPPP!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 478
New to N2o...HELPPPP!
Hey fellas!
I have a 1996 Z28 with a few miles on it (107xxx). I plan on putting a ZEX Wet kit on, but before i buy anything, I wanted to know if there was anything I should do before I hook my juice up. I know I have to change my plugs, or do I? I was planning on getting the NGK iridium plugs. What will happen if i just leave my regular plugs in? And what else should I check/ do before I'm ready to spray... and ideas would be great... thanks! o and i was planning on a 100 or 150 shot...
I have a 1996 Z28 with a few miles on it (107xxx). I plan on putting a ZEX Wet kit on, but before i buy anything, I wanted to know if there was anything I should do before I hook my juice up. I know I have to change my plugs, or do I? I was planning on getting the NGK iridium plugs. What will happen if i just leave my regular plugs in? And what else should I check/ do before I'm ready to spray... and ideas would be great... thanks! o and i was planning on a 100 or 150 shot...
Last edited by baddboy1705; Jul 31, 2005 at 07:04 PM.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 733
From: lighthouse point, fl
Re: New to N2o...HELPPPP!
you do not want to run iridium plugs with nitrous, either go with ngktr64177's gapped at 35 or autolite 103's same gap. Some people will tell you to run all of the safety stuff but I got away with the basic kit, spraying all the way to a 200 shot.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 416
From: Warminster, PA
Re: New to N2o...HELPPPP!
There is nothing wrong with using Iridium plugs with nitrous oxide. You want to stay away from platinum plugs. Sorry for the length, but here is an excerpt from our Spark Plug Tech.
What are the main purposes of spark plugs?
Spark plugs perform two key functions. First, a spark plug must provide spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside of the cylinder. Secondly, the spark plug must also remove heat from the combustion chamber.
What is meant by a plugs heat range? And what heat range should I go with?
Heat can only be removed from the combustion chamber via the spark plug. The plugs ability to dissipate heat is defined by the plugs “heat range”. Some manufacturers (NGK) use a scale where the plugs ability to dissipate heat quicker (colder) are represented by numerically higher numbers. Ex. A 7 heat range is a “colder” plug than a 6, which means it dissipates heat from the firing tip to the head more quickly. While some domestic plug manufacturers are the opposite. The higher the number the “hotter” the plug is. Also, a particular manufacturer’s heat range of 5 might not necessarily be the same from other manufacturers. A plugs heat range should be determined by two things. First, the plugs firing end should remain cool enough where it doesn’t promote pre-ignition. Too hot of a plug will melt away the firing tip and can cause severe engine damage. Secondly, the plug should not dissipate heat too quickly. Too cold of a plug will not burn off the carbon and combustion chamber deposits and promotes fouling out of the plug. The key is to run as hot of a spark plug as possible, without the ill effects of pre-ignition. The ideal temperature of the spark plug tip is between 500*C and 850*C. Below 500*C and the tip cannot burn off carbon and fouls out as previously stated. Above 850*C and the spark plug will overheat and the electrode will melt. Dropping one heat range colder has the ability to remove 70*C to 100*C from the combustion chamber.
What determines a plugs heat range?
The rate at which heat is dissipated is determined by a few components. First being the insulator nose length. The insulator nose length is the distance between the firing tip of the insulator to the metal shell. By shortening this distance fewer gasses are exposed to it, and more material is in contact with the metal shell (allowing for quicker heat dissipation). Changing the material composition inside of the insulator and the center electrode can also alter a spark plugs heat range.
Can I use platinum plugs with nitrous?
NO! Platinum plugs are generally considered a longevity plug and tend to absorb heat (rather than dissipating heat) more quickly than other material plugs. It is also believed that a chemical reaction with nitrous oxide occurs resulting in small deposits on the electrode causing poor ignition.
Can I use Iridium plugs with nitrous?
Yes. No ill effects have been seen with using Iridium plugs with nitrous oxide. Furthermore, iridium has a melting point of 4449.2*F (higher than platinum), and is harder and stronger than platinum as well. The fine firing point on an iridium plug requires less voltage to fire allowing for fewer misfires as well as better ignitability.
Matt
What are the main purposes of spark plugs?
Spark plugs perform two key functions. First, a spark plug must provide spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside of the cylinder. Secondly, the spark plug must also remove heat from the combustion chamber.
What is meant by a plugs heat range? And what heat range should I go with?
Heat can only be removed from the combustion chamber via the spark plug. The plugs ability to dissipate heat is defined by the plugs “heat range”. Some manufacturers (NGK) use a scale where the plugs ability to dissipate heat quicker (colder) are represented by numerically higher numbers. Ex. A 7 heat range is a “colder” plug than a 6, which means it dissipates heat from the firing tip to the head more quickly. While some domestic plug manufacturers are the opposite. The higher the number the “hotter” the plug is. Also, a particular manufacturer’s heat range of 5 might not necessarily be the same from other manufacturers. A plugs heat range should be determined by two things. First, the plugs firing end should remain cool enough where it doesn’t promote pre-ignition. Too hot of a plug will melt away the firing tip and can cause severe engine damage. Secondly, the plug should not dissipate heat too quickly. Too cold of a plug will not burn off the carbon and combustion chamber deposits and promotes fouling out of the plug. The key is to run as hot of a spark plug as possible, without the ill effects of pre-ignition. The ideal temperature of the spark plug tip is between 500*C and 850*C. Below 500*C and the tip cannot burn off carbon and fouls out as previously stated. Above 850*C and the spark plug will overheat and the electrode will melt. Dropping one heat range colder has the ability to remove 70*C to 100*C from the combustion chamber.
What determines a plugs heat range?
The rate at which heat is dissipated is determined by a few components. First being the insulator nose length. The insulator nose length is the distance between the firing tip of the insulator to the metal shell. By shortening this distance fewer gasses are exposed to it, and more material is in contact with the metal shell (allowing for quicker heat dissipation). Changing the material composition inside of the insulator and the center electrode can also alter a spark plugs heat range.
Can I use platinum plugs with nitrous?
NO! Platinum plugs are generally considered a longevity plug and tend to absorb heat (rather than dissipating heat) more quickly than other material plugs. It is also believed that a chemical reaction with nitrous oxide occurs resulting in small deposits on the electrode causing poor ignition.
Can I use Iridium plugs with nitrous?
Yes. No ill effects have been seen with using Iridium plugs with nitrous oxide. Furthermore, iridium has a melting point of 4449.2*F (higher than platinum), and is harder and stronger than platinum as well. The fine firing point on an iridium plug requires less voltage to fire allowing for fewer misfires as well as better ignitability.
Matt
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 724
From: Regina,Sask,Canada
Re: New to N2o...HELPPPP!
Ngk now offers the tr6Ix I think they are the colder ones in iridium. I got some and going to run them.
As for what you need for basic stuff I got the tuner kit package in addition to basic zex kit. Its got purge,blow down tube,bottle pressure gauge and bottle heater. I also got msd window switch. You change plugs and they recommend reduction in timing on the bigger shots especially.I have maft plus and can take out timing with it.
I also plan on racetronix intank for extra insurance.
As for what you need for basic stuff I got the tuner kit package in addition to basic zex kit. Its got purge,blow down tube,bottle pressure gauge and bottle heater. I also got msd window switch. You change plugs and they recommend reduction in timing on the bigger shots especially.I have maft plus and can take out timing with it.
I also plan on racetronix intank for extra insurance.
Thanks for the info fellas, I guess I got my work cut out for me... off to summit to buy some parts... 
